The third shooter, Kovalchuk lifted a wrist shot over the left
shoulder of goalie Chris Mason into the corner of the net and
Johan Hedberg stopped Vernon Fiddler to preserve the win.

Alexei Zhitnek gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead as he stuffed in a
cross-ice pass from Marian Hossa to tally his first goal of the
preseason at 10:48 of the second period.

Nashville's Jed Ortmetyer answered by scoring on a rebound with
2:03 remaining in the second to tie the game.

The Predators took an early lead as right winger J.P Dumont
intercepted Hedberg's clearing pass behind the net and put a
backhander into the open net to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at
13:58 of the first period.

It was the first preseason goal for Dumont, who also added an
assist.

Atlanta tied the contest at 19:52 of the first period when
Kovalchuk beat Mason with a wrister from the left faceoff circle
with a man advantage.

The Thrashers could not capitalize on a two-man advantage when
Dumont and Shea Weber drew penalties 15 seconds apart about five
minutes through the final period.

Nashville was not much better, failing to capitalize on all
eight power-play opportunities.

Mason stopped 14 of 16 shots and Dan Ellis stopped 11 shots in
the first two periods for the Predators. Meanwhile, Hedberg
saved 28 of 30 shots.

Newly minted Nashville captain Jason Arnott, who led the club
with 27 goals last season, did not dress.

Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen, who is battling a groin injury,
did not dress for the Thrashers. The 23-year old Finland-native
is expected to make his preseason-debut on Wednesday night
against the Florida Panthers.

Lehtonen and left wing Brad Larsen are the only two Thrashers'
regulars not to skate this preseason.

Slava Kozlov tallied an assist in his preseason debut for the
Thrashers, who lost, 5-3, to the Predators last Thursday.